Phyllostachys heteroclada

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Rhizomes elongated; leptomorph. Culms erect; woody. Culm-internodes semiterete; hollow. Culm-nodes glabrous, or pubescent. Lateral branches dendroid. Leaves cauline. Ligule an eciliate membrane.

INFLORESCENCE Synflorescence bractiferous; fasciculate; dense; with spathaceous subtending bracts; bracts 2–2.6 mm long; without axillary buds at base of spikelet; with ultimate bract subtending a compact bracteolate fascicle of spikelets; prophyllate below lateral spikelets.

Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 3–6 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets lanceolate; laterally compressed; 12–18 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes 1–1.5 mm long; glabrous, or sparsely hairy; hairy at tip.

GLUMES Glumes two; persistent; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume lanceolate; 4–6 mm long; membranous; 1-keeled; 1–3 -veined. Lower glume primary vein ciliate. Lower glume lateral veins absent, or distinct. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume lanceolate; 7–8 mm long; membranous; 1-keeled; 5–7 -veined. Upper glume surface puberulous; hairy above. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; 10–17 mm long; chartaceous; without keel; 7–11 -veined. Lemma surface pubescent; hairy above. Lemma apex acuminate. Palea 9–13 mm long; chartaceous. Palea keels approximate; ciliolate. Palea surface pubescent; hairy all along, or above. Palea apex dentate; 2 -fid. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 3; obovate; 2–2.5 mm long; veined; ciliate; obtuse. Anthers 3; 4–6 mm long. Stigmas 3. Styles 2 mm long. Ovary umbonate.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: China.

NOTES Arundinarieae. Keng 1996.

Please cite this publication as detailed in How to Cite Version: 3rd February 2016.